Sri Lanka Ports Authority to get fresh boost with US backed capacity development programme

Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) will see its technical proficiency elevated with the Colombo Plan kicking off a capacity development programme with funding from the US Embassy. The programme aims to advance “smart” operations at the Port of Colombo and help position it as a crucial regional hub in South Asia. Accordingly, the Colombo Plan and Sri Lanka Ports Authority signed a letter of intent at a launch event last week. A Memorandum of Underst

Oneworld reaches 25-year milestone

The oneworld alliance on 1 February celebrated 25 years of delivering an exceptional and seamless travel experience to its customers worldwide, with a member airline flight taking off or landing somewhere in the world every six seconds, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Since 1999, the alliance has flown nearly nine billion customers on its member airlines, connecting them with friends, loved ones and different cultures around the globe. Launc

Maritime leaders urge collective action for Indian ocean sustainability

Key maritime sector stakeholders and experts emphasized on collaborative and collective efforts to enhance sustainability, security, ocean conservation and maritime law to meet evolving challenges while harnessing emerging opportunities in the vibrant maritime region of the Indian Ocean. The Indian Ocean Strategic Research Centre (IOCSRC) in collaboration with Women in Logistics and Transport (WiLAT) has initiated the much-nee

SriLankan Airlines Unveils New and Improved Mobile App

SriLankan Airlines has unveiled a new and improved mobile app that is designed for optimum user-friendliness. The enhanced app will afford customers greater ease and flexibility in managing their flight bookings, purchasing value-added services, enrolling for a FlySmiLes account and performing a variety of other tasks.

Ella Street Food Fiesta kicks off today

Going parallel with the Christmas & New Year celebrations taking place across the counrty, authorities in the Uva province kicked off today the Ella Street Food Fiesta.

SriLankan Airlines brings Entrepreneurs’ Organization Nepal to Sri Lanka

SriLankan Airlines is organizing the first-ever series of meetings in Sri Lanka for Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) Nepal as part of its ramped-up efforts to help the country rebuild and grow tourism.

HIPG delegation visits SL Ambassador to China

As construction work begins in the industrial park at the Hambantota Port, efforts are being made to attract Sri Lankan and international investors.

SriLankan Airlines: Facing challenges and coming out strong

Uncertainty as a result of the coronavirus pandemic has thrust the global aviation industry into genuine chaos as a result of closed borders and strict border controls since the early days of the crisis, which has seen planes flying with just a handful of passengers,

Rosatom, DP World to join efforts on Arctic container shipments

(Arab News) Russian state nuclear energy firm Rosatom and Dubai logistics firm DP World agreed on Friday to join efforts in developing pilot container shipping between Northwest Europe and East Asia through the Arctic, the companies said.

BRIDGE integrates with global shipping lines, airlines and courier services

Tracking multiple shipments several times a day can at times be a hassle. This is because professionals in the shipping industry have to visit many third party websites or take numerous calls to obtain information on the whereabouts of their shipment. This problem has been persistent in the trade for many years and has been the cause for many wasted man hours.

Sri Lanka Tourism begins new promotion in Thailand

Consequent to the recent downturn in arrivals following the Easter Sunday attacks, Sri Lanka Tourism has planned a series of short-term promotional programmes to attract tourists from short haul markets.

Russian tour operators visit Sri Lanka with Aitken Spence Travels

A group of 12 tour operators from St. Petersburg, Russia is currently in Sri Lanka for a familiarization tour with Aitken Spence Travels.

John calls on British High Commissioner

Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Christian Affairs John Amaratunga met with British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka James Dauris this week to discuss the  improvements in the security situation post-Easter Sunday terror attacks, and informed the High Commissioner about the future steps to be taken by the government. SLTPB Chairman Kishu Gomes and Dinesh Weerakkody participated in the discussions.

SilkAir launches first non-stop flights between Singapore and Busan

SilkAir, the regional wing of Singapore Airlines has launched the first non-stop flights between Singapore and Busan in South Korea.

Emirates Chief Commercial Officer resigns after airline’s profit dives

(Dubai) REUTERS: Emirates Chief Commercial Officer Thierry Antinori has resigned, a spokeswoman said on Sunday, days after the Gulf airline announced its weakest profit in a decade.

Jetwing Symphony records Rs.86mn profit for 4Q19

Jetwing Symphony PLC, for the first time since it became a publicly listed company on the Colombo Stock Exchange in December 2017, turned a profit for the quarter ended March 31, 2019 (4Q19), the interim financial accounts released to the Colombo bourse showed.

Sri Lanka tourism’s rocky road to recovery

Compared to the 180,429 visitors in April last year, arrivals in April 2019 dropped 7.5 percent to 166,975 due to the terror attacks on the 21st.

Kadugannawa: Forgotten city of Sri Lanka emerges as most peaceful tourist town in South Asia

Kadugannawa, considered the gateway town to the central highlands and Sri Lanka’s sacred city - Kandy, is set to become the newest addition to South Asia’s nature immersion and spiritual rejuvenation tourism by end-2019.

John calls on German Ambassador

Tourism, Wildlife and Christian Affairs Minister John Amaratunga met with the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Sri Lanka and the Republic of Maldives Jörn Rohde last week to discuss the improvements in the security situation post-Easter Sunday terror attacks,

Merchant navy profession now open to GCE A/L Technology students

The Merchant Shipping Secretariat of the Ports and Shipping Ministry has taken the initiative to broaden the entry criteria for merchant navy cadet officer training to include the GCE A/L Technology stream students, in a bid to create more opportunities for Sri Lankan youth to embark on lucrative seafaring careers.

Evergreen orders eight 11,000 TEU containerships

Evergreen Marine Corp. (EMC) entered into an agreement with Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) to order eight 11,000 20-foot equivalent unit (TEU) containerships. 

Cathay Pacific introduces up to 35% off Business Class promotion

Cathay Pacific Airways is launching Business Class promotional fares to select destinations from Colombo. The promotional fares of up to 35% off on Business Class are now available from Colombo to nine key destinations in Asia, North America, Australia and New Zealand.

CASA facilitates seminar on maritime hub aspirations of Sri Lanka

A seminar themed ‘maritime hub aspirations of Sri Lanka’, organised by the Ceylon Association of Ships Agents (CASA), is to be held tomorrow, at Galadari Hotel.

KrisFlyer to launch world’s first blockchain-based airline loyalty digital wallet

The SIA Group’s KrisFlyer frequent-flyer programme is to launch a world-first blockchain-based airline loyalty digital wallet capability that will help unlock the value of KrisFlyer miles to enable everyday spending at retail partners.

Transshipments at Colombo port up by 20.4% in January

The transshipment operations at the Port of Colombo show a tremendous increase between the months of January 2017 and January 2018.  Accordingly, against 362,451 transshipment twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU) operations in January 2017, together with Jaya Container Terminal 

IATA and CAAS to launch Global Safety Predictive Analytics Research Center in Singapore

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) announced the signing of a Memorandum of Collaboration (MoC) to establish a Global Safety Predictive Analytics Research Center (SPARC) in Singapore. 

Sri Lanka Tourism launches ‘LoveCakeLove’ initiative for Valentine’s Day

‘LoveCakeLove’ is the theme of a crowd-sourced effort, initiated by Sri Lanka Tourism, to create hype for love cake, a uniquely Sri Lankan dish, around Valentine’s Day 2018.

Sri Lanka Tourism gets to grips with Colombo’s tourism boom

Since 2009, Sri Lanka has witnessed far-reaching development when it comes to the hospitality and travel industry. 

Emirates firms up orders for 36 A380s worth US$ 16 billion

Emirates, the world’s largest international airline, signed a contract for 20 additional A380 aircraft and 16 options, firming up the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that was announced in January.  The total agreement for 36 aircraft is valued at US$16 billion based on latest list prices. Deliveries are to start as early as 2020.

AirAsia poised to play key role in Sri Lanka’s travel and tourism market

Tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka are expected to cross the four million mark by 2020, doubling the record of two million arrivals achieved in 2017.